Cash register



May 24 W. H. ROBERTSON CASH REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 7. 1923 FIG. 1 A

awuentoz William H. Robertson By M 51,629,537 W. H. ROBERTSON May 24, 1927.

CASH REGI STER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jun 7. 1923 1 ll .llralall sn-mmtoz William H. Robertson May 24, 1927.

W. H. ROBERTSON CASH REGISTER- Filed June '7, 1923v 4 Sheets-Sheet, 3

E %/%5 QHUWO'Z William H. Robertson His Gum M4 May 24, 1927.

W. ROBERTSON CASH REGISTER 4 shuts-sheet 4 Filed June 7. 1923 Patented May 24, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. ROBERTSON, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

CASH REGISTER.

Application filed June 7,

This invention relates too-ash registers, and particularly to improvements in the type of machine shown in Letters Patent of the United States issued to E. J Von Pein,

March 15, 1921, No. 1,371,653.

An object of this invention is the provision of tablet indicators arranged in groups, and selected and moved to a display position by the operation of item entering keys.

With this and incidental objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification.

Of said drawings:

Figs. 1 and 1 together constitute a rear elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a detail View of the indicator supporting element and a part of the selecting mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail View of a part of the indicator selecting mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail rear view of the registering segments and gear mechanism for operating the indicator selecting mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the machine taken inside the right hand side frame.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the mechanism for imparting movement to the cam shaft.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the right 35 hand end of the machine showing the printer and a part of the indicator mechanism.

The embodiment illustrated comprises the usual amount keys, means for entering amounts in a totalizer and for printing the 40 same. In addition, mechanism is provided for indicating both to the front and rear of the machine, the last amount entered.

Referring especially to Fig. 5, the invention is shown in connection with the well 45 known lever key type machine. The keys arranged in denominational groups as usual, are pivoted on a transverse rod 26,

and at their rear ends are notched to cooper ate with a lip on a key coupler 27 to oscil- 50 late the key coupler each time a key is operated.

The key coupler 27 is pivoted on trun- 1923. Serial No. 643,921.

nions 28 having bearings in the side frames of the machines.

Uprights 29, connected to the rear ends of the keys engage rods 30 mounted in rocker members 31, supported on a shaft 32. There is a rocker member for each denominational group of keys 25, and each of the members is operatively connected to its registering segment or totalizer actuator The notches in the uprights 29 are located to transmit amounts of movement to the actuators proportionate to the number of units represented by the keys to which the uprights are connected.

The registering segments 33 are normally in mesh with gears 34 connected to the item type wheels 35 (Fig. 7) by telescopic sleeves 36 (Fig. 5) to print the items on a record strip which will hereinafter be described.

The key coupler 27, before referred to, is pivotally mounted in the side frames and rests upon the rear ends of the keys from which it receives its movement. The right hand end of the key coupler carries a roller 40 (Fig. 6) which engages a rack plate 41 to give a rotation to a shaft 42 (Fig. 5) at each operation of the machine.

Secured to the shaft 42 is a cam 43 which engages rollers on a lever 44 to rock a totalizer 45 into and out of engagement with the totalizer actuator to enter the items registered by the item entering keys 25. This totalizer being of such a well known type, a detailed description of the mechanism will not be given herein.

The totalizer actuator 33 (Figs. 4 and 5) in addition to actuating the totalizer and type printing wheel actuates a tablet indicator selecting device. Each actuating segment 33 is in constant engagement with a pinion 46. These pinions are connected to companion pinions 47 by hubs 48 freely mounted upon a rod 49 supported by the frames of the machine. The companion pinions 47 mesh with segments 50 which are secured to segments 51 in mesh with gear racks 52. The segments are secured-to hubs freely mounted upon a rod 53 and laterally spaced by collars 54.

The gear racks 52 are supported at their forward ends by the rod 49 and their rear ends are pivoted on a stud 55 secured in indicator selecting arms 56 which are freely mounted on a rod 57 and a telescopic sleeve 58 surrounding this rod. The indicator selecting arms are moved to positions corresponding to, the item keys depressed in their respective groups.

Cooperating with each indicator selecting arm. 56 is an indicator supporting frame consisting ,of two upright members 63 (Figs. 1 2 and 5) secured at their lower ends on hubs 64:. The left hand hub iii-Fig. 1 is pinned to the rod 57. The next hub to the right is secured to a sleeve 58 which is freely mounted on the rod 57 and the thirdhub is freely mounted on the sleeve 58. he upper ends of the upright members are joined by a yoke '65 which also supports the indicator tablets 66 in their normal po sition. The upper ends of the members 63 are slightly offset and are provided with radial slots 67 uniformlyspaced and adapt ed to receive the indicator tablets.

The indicator supporting members are moved into a position corresponding to the actuated position of the indicator selecting arms 56 by pairs of arms 68 joined together at their upper ends by pins 69 upon which are freel mounted rollers 70 enoa in the fit sides of openings 71 in the members 63. Similar openings 72 in the indicator selecting arms 56 form means for guiding the indicator supporting members .to position as the rollers move to the upper part of the openings. The upper portions of the openings 71 and 72 are defined by parallel sides and are of a width to fit the roller 70. Because of this provision, variations in the movement of the roller 70 will'not affect its alining function as this function is performed not only when the rolleris at its extreme upward position but also as it moves into and out of such position.

The arms 68 are secured at their lower ends on opposite ends of hubs 73 which are freely mounted .upon a rod 7 4 supported at each end by arms 7 5 which are pinned to a rod 76 supported by the frame of the machine. The rod 76 is rocked at the proper time during the operation of the machine by an arm 80 (Figs. 1 2 and 7) which is pinned to the trunnion 28 of the key coupler 27. Formed in the right hand endof the arm 80 is a cam slot 81 which cooperates with a roller 82 mounted on an arm 83 to rock' the shaft 76 near the end of the upward movement of the key coupler. The arm 83 is freely mounted on a stud 8 1; supported by the frame of the machine and has pivotally connected to the arm a link 85,

the upper end of which is pivoted to an arm S6. pinned to the rod 76. As the indicator supporting members are moved into corresponding position with the indicator selecting members, an alining or lockingdevice holds them rigid while one of the indicator tablets is elevated to a displaying position. This alining or locking means consists of a. notched plate 87 (Fig. secured to one side of the indicator tablets supporting member and cooperates with an arm 88 pinned to a rod 80 supported at each end in brackets 79 fastened. to the side frznnes of the machine. Secured to the rod 8%,) is a downwardly extending arm 90 (Fig. 7) which is held in contact with a lever '01 by a spring 92. This lever is freely mounted on a stud 93 projecting from the side frame of the machine. Carried on the lower end of the lever is a roller 9,4 which cooperates With a cam 95 pinned to the shaft 12 to rock the arm 88 (Fig. 5) into engagement with the alining plate 87. I

After the indicator supporting members are moved into adjusted position, the indicator tablets which correspond to the item keys depressed are raised into displaying position. The means for accomplishing this consists of a horizontal bar (Figs. 1 and 5), extending acrossthe top of the machine and secured to vertical plates 101 at each end. These plates are guided'in their operation by the brackets 79 by having pins 102 and 103 at each end engaging slots 104 formed in the brackets 79.

The horizontal bar 100 is given a reciprocal motion by links 105 connecting the pins 103 with arms 106 which are integral with partial gears 107 freely mounted on studs 108 (Fig. 7-) supported in the frames of the machine. These partial gears mesh with segment gears 109 which are pinned on a rod 110 supported in the frames of the machine. The cam slot 81, formed in the arm 80, in addition to oscillating the rod 76 is also a means for oscillating the rod 110. Cooperating with this cam slot is a roller 111 mounted on a pivot stud connecting an arm 112, freely mounted upon the stud 8t, with a link 113, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the segment gear 100. The cam 81 is formed so as to move the horizontal bar 100 downward and place the last indicator tablets displayed in their normal position before the indicator supporting members are moved into their new positions, corresponding to the last item key depressed. After the indicator supporting members assume their new positions the horizontal bar is returned to its upper. or normal, position, displaying the new indication. The lower edge of the horizontal bar .100 (Fig. 1) has a plurality of slotted openings 116 through which the tops 117 of the indicator tablets 66 pass s the supporting members are being adjusted. Notches 118 formed on opposite sides of the indicator tablets engage horizontal lugs 119 on the bar 100 to support the indicator tablets in their dispiay position.

The indicators are arranged to be displayed in two groups, one group to be seen from the front of the machine and the other from the rear. The indicator tablets of the center group are provided with characters on both sides to indicate to both front and rear. The indicators of the other groups to the right of the center group are seen only from the rear of the machine, and their supporting members 63 are mounted on hubs 6 1, one 01 which is secured to the rod 57 and the other to the sleeve 58, which is the means of moving these two groups of back indicators in unison with corresponding groups of front indicators previously described.

The indicators are displayed through openings in indicator guiding plates 120 supported by the brackets 7 9. Each item as it is entered in the totalizer and indicated also printed upon a record strip 125 which is fed from a supply roll 126 over guide pins to a receiving roll 127, the receiving roll being moved counter-clockwise at each operationof the machine by a spring-pressed pawl 128 carried on an arm 129 pinned to the key coupler trunnion 28. A hammer platen 130 operated by a cam on the shaft 41:2 cooperating with a spring plunger 131 causes a legible impression to be made from the type printing wheel upon the record strip 125. A continuous inking ribbon 132 passes between the record strip and the type wheels and over suitable feeding roller and guide studs. At the time the impression is made the usual alining member 133 engages the type printing wheels. This printing mechanism being of a well known type is but briefly described herein.

Operation.

An amount is entered on the totalizer and printed 011 a detail strip by operating keys representing such amount, these parts of a registration being performed by mechanism well known in the art. As the actuators are moved diiferentially from the keys to operate the totalizer and adjust the printing wheels, they also operate indicator selecting arms 56 (Fig. 5). At the beginning of the operation previous exposed indicators are lowered by the link 105, etc. (Fig. 7). Towardthe end of the downward movement of the keys the lower end of the cam slot 81 operator permits them to return to home position. At the end of this movement the upper portion of the cam 81 (Fig. 7) engages the roller 111 and raises the link 105 to lift the selected indicator into view. The other parts of the machine are returned to normal in the usual way. The machine is now ready to receive another regi tration.

ll hile the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to conline the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed. for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

d hat is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a totalizer, a totalizer ac tuating means. item entering means adapted to operate said actuating means, a key coupler operated by said item entering means, indicating elements, indicating elements sup porting means. indicating elements selecting means, indicating elements supporting means alining means, and means actuated by said key coupler for elevating to a displaying position one or more indicating elements.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means, a rocking member actuated by said item entering means, indicating elements, indicating elements supporting means adapted to be dif ferentially moved, indicating elements selecting means, indicating elements elevating means, and means actuated by said rocking member to move said indicating elements supporting means to a position corresponding to the position of said indicating ele ments selecting means. i

In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means, a rocking member actuated by said item entering means. a pivoted member adapted to be moved dilierentially by said item entering means, indicating elements, indicating elements supporting means. a movable member actuated by said pivoted member for controlling the adjustment of said supporting means, indicating elements lifting means, and means operated by said rocking member for actuating said indicating elements suppori, g means and said indicating elements lifting means.

In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means. a key coupler, a pivoted member adapted to be differentially moved by said item entering means, indicating elements, a movable means supporting said indicating elements, a mor able member actuated by said pivoted mem" her for controlling the adjustment of said supporting means, indicating elements lifting means, and means adapted to move with Combination of item entering keys, an actu ating'segment diil'erentiallymoved by said item entering keys, a rocking member operated by said item entering keys, indicating elements, a movable member for supporting said indicating elements, a second movable member adapted to be moved differentially by said actuating segment, arack pivoted to said second movable member, gears inter mediate said rack and said actuating segment adapted to transmit motion from said actuating'segm'entto said rack, and means operated by said rocking member and cooperating with said second movable member to difierentially position said indicating elements supporting member.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of atotalize'r, a' totalizer actuator. item entering'keys, a rocking member' operated'by said item entering keys, a movable indicator supporting member adapted to support a plurality'of indicators in normal position, means intermediate said totalizer' actuator and said indicator supporting member adapted to adjust said indicator supporting member from the totalizer actuator, and means actuated by said rockii'ig memberfor removing one of said indicators for the purpose of display.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a totalizer, actuating means therefor, item entering means, means interm'ediateof the item entering means and the actuating means for differentially moving said actuating means. a rocking member operated bysaid' item entering means, indicating elements, a pivoted member-supporting said indicating elements. a secondpiyoted member operated by said actuating means, means'operated by said rocking member and cooperating'with said second pivoted memher for adjusting said first pivoted member, and means operated by said rocking member for moving'one of said indicating elements into indicating position.

8. In a machine of the c ass described, the combination of a totaliZer. a totalizer actuat ng means, an item entering means adapted to operate said actuating means, a rocking member operated'by said item entering means. indicating elements, a movable means supporting said indicating elements. a second movable means operated by said actuating means. and means operated by said rocking member ftr moving said indicating'elements supporting means to a corresponding position with said second movable means.

9. In a machine comprising lever keys. a key coupler, a totalizer, totalizer actuating segment gear, differen ial connections beintermediate the key coupler and the indieating eT ements selecting means for moving said indicating elements supporting means to a position corresponding to the position of said indicatingolements selccting'means.

10. In a machine comprising lever keys, "(5

a key coupler, a totalizer, totalizer actuating segn'ient gear, differential connections between the keys and actuating segment gear, the combination of indicating elements, in-

dicating elements supporting means, indi- 8 eating elements selecting means, and means actuated by said key coupler for elevating to a displaying position one of said indicating elements.

11. In a machine'comprising lever'keys,

a key coupler, atotalizer, tot'ali'zeractu'ating segment gear, connections intermediate the keys and actuating segment'gear, the combination of indicating elements, indicating elements supporting means, indicating elements selecting means, and means cooperating with said key coupler for raising and lowering one of said indicating elements.

12. The combination of an adjustable tab-' let indicator supporting carriage, tablets carried thereby, a plurality of keys, a key coupler, slotted means operated by said key coupler, means cooperating with oneend oi" the slot'of said slotted means fornioving the carriage to a position determined by the key'depressed, and'means cooperating with the other end of the sot for moving said tablets to indicating and homepos'itions.

13. In a machine of the class described, the 106 combination. of item entering means, an actuating means, an oscillating member actuated by said item ent ering'means, indicating elements. a movable means supporting said indicating elements. a second movable means 110 operated by said actuating means, means onerated by said oscillatingmember and directly cooperating with said first and second movable means for moving said first movable means to a position corresponding to that of'said second movable means. and means for locking said indicating elements supporting means after it is moved into said position.

14. Ina machine otthe class described,

the combination of item entering means involving a differentiallymovable actuator, an oscillating member actuated by said item entering means. indicating elements supporting means adapted to be differentially moved,

a driving means operated by said item entering means. an indicator selecting member differentiallypositioned by said actuator, means actuated by said oscillating member and cooperating with said indicator selecting member to position said indicating elements supporting means, and means operated by said driving means for locking said indicating elements supporting means in position.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of item entering means, an actuating segment gear, an indicating element supporting member, an indicating element selecting member, a rod pivotaliy sup- 10 porting said members, a gear rack pivoted to said selecting member, gear means intermediate of said actuating segment gear and said gear rack, and means for alining said indicating elements supporting means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM H. ROBERTSON. 

